PureVPN has a range of apps with which it is compatible. These include the Paymentwall platform with more than 150 apps for payment purposes. As far as using the VPN goes, there is a dedicated client for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browser extensions, Kodi, and more. The user experience on these is much the same as that of the experience on desktop and laptop, with some minor changes to reduce features and run time.

The important thing here is that many of the mobile apps, specifically Android, retain most of the features as seen on desktop or laptop. That is pretty unique among VPNs and means that PureVPN is quite versatile in its approach.

Split tunneling is the ability to be able to select which apps or devices use a VPN and which do not. This gives you considerable control over the devices you protect at any given time. For example, you might want to allow certain apps to go through your usual ISP rather than a VPN for speed purposes. Fortunately, PureVPN does allow split tunneling across desktop, laptop, mobile, and tablet clients.

PureVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption. This is among the most difficult to crack encryption systems out there, making it among the safest. Most VPNs use this form of encryption, run through various protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and others. Of note, PureVPN also offers the less-secure PPTP protocol, which is so out of date that most of its competitors jettisoned it long ago.

Still, the point is that you should be safe. However, we mentioned an encryption issue above, where the client continuously uses IKEv2 even when other protocols are selected. We expect that to be fixed ASAP.

It’s important to have privacy while browsing for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to avoid pesky advertisements. Who among us wants to help feed the advertising algorithms that lets companies target us? To this end, PureVPN offers easy-to-use browsing via extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

Kill switches cut you off from the internet as soon as the software recognizes that you are no longer connected to the VPN’s server. It’s a safeguard so that you don’t end up browsing the internet through an exposed server while still thinking you’re using the VPN. PureVPN has an effective kill switch for all its clients.

Like the encryption issue listed above, there is one problem with the Windows client. It has been reported that the kill switch is a bit glitchy when using the Windows client, specifically, run on IKEv2 protocols. That’s mainly a problem because the client also seems to want to use IKEv2 regardless of what you choose.

Some VPNs are starting to move toward RAM-only servers. This means all usage information and data is stored not on disk drives but as Random Access Memory, which is then erased whenever the server is rebooted (which, in theory, is often). Unfortunately, PureVPN is not one of those VPNs. This is another concern when coupled with PureVPN’s history of keeping logs for at least some period of time.

Security should not be affected when you use PureVPN on your gaming console versus using it on your laptop or PC. The same encryption methods and protocols apply. Again, though, there is room for some concern, as the VPN has kept logs in the past and does not use RAM-only storage. That means especially skilled hackers might be able to track down your information.

On desktop and laptop, which are two of the most popular clients used by VPN users, protocols include OpenVPN, IKEv2, and many more. As we’ve noted, however, the client for Windows seems only to want to connect via IKEv2 protocols. This can be confusing at best and a security problem at worst if you believe you’re covered under protocols that aren’t in place.

You should be safe and secure while using PureVPN across different browsers and operating systems. There are extensions specifically for Chrome and Firefox, but you can use the VPN with MacOS and Linux browsers as well. Security used for browsing includes encrypting your usage data via AS 256-bit encryption techniques, which would take even the world’s fastest supercomputer millions of years to brute force.

Again, the one issue is that the Windows client’s kill switch does not always work, according to reports. This can leave you exposed to external forces even when you think you’re connected via the VPN.

There is no change in security measures from when you are using PureVPN on desktop versus when you are using it on tablets or mobile devices. The client still provides users with an option of different security protocols to run and still encrypts data with the 256-bit key. Plus, the Android app doesn’t appear to lose functionality or to be susceptible to the Windows kill switch and encryption issues. For this reason, mobile devices might actually be more secure than a desktop client for PureVPN.

We were impressed with PureVPN’s router information online. For example, it told us that the VPN is compatible with 22 different brand names to avoid any ambiguity (since configuring a non-compatible router with software can destroy the router). It also has plenty of resources for setup purposes and even suggests different specific routers according to users’ needs.

Some other VPNs don’t even list router compatibility on their websites, so this was a nice touch.

You’ll need a router that can run the correct protocols to comply with the VPN’s requirements (i.e. OpenVPN, IKEv2, etc.). What we really liked about PureVPN is that it has a comprehensive list of acceptable, compatible routers as well as a suggestion list of the best routers in your area. You can also access in-depth installation guides that differ depending on your exact brand of router.

After PureVPN’s previous scandal with keeping session logs, the company underwent an external audit to earn back users’ trust. It now advertises itself as No-Log Certified, since outside agencies have examined its policies and verified that it abides by privacy and security measures.

We like this a lot, especially since most VPNs have failed to undergo an external audit and therefore only have the strength of their own word regarding privacy. However, it may take a long time for the userbase to fully trust PureVPN after it was caught keeping logs and even handing them over to government agencies when requested.

The Lightway protocol was developed by PureVPN’s competitor ExpressVPN. Currently, that is the only VPN company that uses the protocol, which purports to be more secure than the ones used by PureVPN (i.e. OpenVPN, IKEv2, etc.). This isn’t a huge downside, though, as literally no other VPN company than ExpressVPN currently uses Lightway, and since some reports claim that Lightway (while apparently more secure) slows down the VPN’s speed.